Islington nursery closure plans denied suppressed before election

Islington Council has strongly refuted suggestions that it deliberately concealed plans for the closure of Paradise Park Children’s Centre nursery until after the local elections in May. The nursery ceased operations on July 22, following the operator, Islington Play Association (IPA), withdrawing from its contract amid significant financial difficulties.

The decision to close the nursery has led to considerable backlash, with parents expressing concerns about the loss of a valued facility and the availability of affordable, suitable childcare alternatives. Islington has since established temporary childcare arrangements at the same site for families still seeking provision.

Accusations of delayed announcement

During a council meeting on Thursday, September 24, Green councillors raised questions about the timing of the public announcement. Councillor Carlos Valero stated it was "curious" that the decision was communicated to the public 13 days after an election in a ward where a small number of votes could have changed the outcome. The local elections on May 8, 2026, saw the Labour party retain control of Islington Council, though the Green party gained 16 seats.

Labour councillor Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Children, Schools and Families, responded forcefully to these suggestions. She stated, "How dare you suggest that this administration is trying to sweep things under the carpet." She emphasised that the closure was a result of financial circumstances faced by IPA, describing it as a "unilateral decision due to financial circumstances taken by a third-party provider."

Operator's financial situation

Councillor Chapman revealed that IPA had informed the council in December 2025 of its inability to continue running the nursery due to financial reasons. She added that providing additional funding to IPA, which had indicated it was facing insolvency, would not have been a prudent use of public money, especially given the availability of other childcare places in the borough. IPA has disputed claims of financial mismanagement but acknowledged facing serious financial pressures.

Councillor Chapman also noted that she had not heard from any parents still struggling to find childcare and encouraged them to come forward. She declined a call from Councillor Janet Falkenberg, also Green, for a full review into the "human cost" of the closure, insisting the council had been transparent.

Legal challenge dismissed

Parents who feared "significant damage" to their children due to the disruption had lodged a judicial review against the council. They argued the council had failed in its duty to ensure sufficient childcare was available. However, the High Court dismissed the case in July, with Mrs Justice Eady ruling it was "totally without merit."